Short Interest in Republic Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:RBCAA) Increases By 21.2%

Republic Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ:RBCAA) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totaling 103,853 shares, a growth of 21.2% from the December 31st total of 85,712 shares. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average daily volume of 39,878 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Based on an average daily volume of 39,878 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.6 days. Approximately 1.2% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on RBCAA. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Republic Bancorp from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Weiss Ratings reaffirmed a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Republic Bancorp in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Republic Bancorp currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $69.00.

Republic Bancorp Stock Performance

NASDAQ RBCAA traded down $0.15 during trading on Tuesday, hitting $73.27. 24,769 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 35,471. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.90 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a current ratio of 1.06. The business has a 50 day moving average of $70.98 and a 200-day moving average of $71.13. Republic Bancorp has a 12-month low of $56.79 and a 12-month high of $78.25.

Republic Bancorp (NASDAQ:RBCAA) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, January 30th. The bank reported $1.17 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.13). Republic Bancorp had a return on equity of 12.39% and a net margin of 25.19%.The business had revenue of $94.27 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $92.50 million.

Republic Bancorp Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 17th. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 20th will be paid a $0.495 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 20th. This represents a $1.98 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. This is a boost from Republic Bancorp’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.45. Republic Bancorp’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.46%.

Institutional Trading of Republic Bancorp

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Denali Advisors LLC grew its stake in Republic Bancorp by 6.6% in the 4th quarter. Denali Advisors LLC now owns 27,400 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,890,000 after buying an additional 1,700 shares in the last quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Republic Bancorp by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Formidable Asset Management LLC now owns 30,776 shares of the bank’s stock worth $2,224,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management increased its position in shares of Republic Bancorp by 11.6% during the 4th quarter. Empirical Financial Services LLC d.b.a. Empirical Wealth Management now owns 3,624 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $250,000 after purchasing an additional 378 shares during the last quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC raised its holdings in shares of Republic Bancorp by 9.3% during the 4th quarter. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC now owns 7,165 shares of the bank’s stock valued at $487,000 after buying an additional 610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in Republic Bancorp by 52.9% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 23,236 shares of the bank’s stock worth $1,679,000 after buying an additional 8,037 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 24.37% of the company’s stock.

Republic Bancorp Company Profile

Republic Bancorp, Inc is a bank holding company headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, that operates through its principal subsidiary, Republic Bank & Trust Company. The company provides a full suite of commercial and retail banking services tailored to individuals, small businesses and middle‐market clients. Core offerings include deposit accounts, consumer and commercial lending, treasury and cash-management services, mortgage financing, SBA lending and wealth management solutions. Republic Bancorp also supports specialized financing needs through equipment leasing and small business advisory services.

Republic Bancorp’s branch network spans key markets in the U.S.